Richard Madeley thinks Matt Hancock could get "brownie points" for going on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.
Mr Hancock is set to appear in this year's series of the ITV show as it makes its return to Australia after two years in Wales. His decision to appear on the show has caused much furore across the country amid his decision.
Good Morning Britain presenter Richard discussed Mr Hancock's decision today, and whilst he stopped short at defending the Tory politician, he insisted it could actually be good for the MP. Mr Hancock said his decision to go on the jungle show is to relate to viewers more and share important messages with all kinds of voters, whether they're engaged in politics or not.
Speaking on BBC's Have I Got News For You tonight, Richard said: "I suspect his reason simply is if he does it well, and with humour, he'll turn them round but I agree, they're [the British public] are not going to forget. If he actually attacks the challenges, agrees to do it and eats the scorpions and testicles, he'll get Brownie points from some of the viewers.
It comes after the show's executive producer Olly Nash defended the decision to sign up the working MP, insisting it is "not a question of trying to divide camp" when Mr Hancock finally makes his entrance, likely as a late arrival.
"We’ve put in loads of politicians over the years, we also put in people who have had very very strong views about certain things and sometimes it plays out in camp and sometimes it doesn’t," he said, "It’s not a question of trying to divide camp, we have never been a deliberately divisive camp. It’s up to them to come into the camp and it’s up to them if they want to leave."
Mr Hancock is reportedly expected to receive £400,000 for his stint on I'm A Celebrity - whilst also receiving his MP pay packet.
A source added: "Matt's pay deal with I'm a Celebrity is around £400,000. It's one of the largest ever show fees to have been paid out".
"Matt will be making a donation to St Nicholas Hospice in Suffolk and causes supporting dyslexia off the back of his appearance," a spokesperson said of what Mr Hancock would be doing with the funds he receives for the show, "He will also declare the amount he receives from the show to Parliament to ensure complete transparency, as normal."
